Six years since the enthronement of Archbishop Makarios of Australia – Many years Your Eminence!
“I am overwhelmed by the fact of the responsibility I am taking on and at the same time I am occupied with the concern about how I will ultimately be able to prove myself worthy of this divine favour.” Words from the depths of the heart of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, during his enthronement ceremony on the feast of the Leaders of the Apostles Peter and Paul, in the year 2019.
Six years have passed since then, a period of time filled with events and challenges for the Orthodox Church of the fifth continent. Six years in which, from the first day until now, the high sense of pastoral responsibility, the paternal love and the unceasing concern of Archbishop Makarios for the flock entrusted to him by God have been manifested in practice.
With his arms open to all, sparing no effort or pain, His Eminence devoted himself to the spiritual edification and strengthening of the Christian plenitude of our local Church. At the same time, he inspired the holy Clergy and the pious People to work with unyielding zeal to spread the light of truth to the wider Australian society.
The completion, today, of six years since the enthronement of our Shepherd is not simply a personal anniversary. It is a point of reaffirmation of our unity in Christ, as well as of our dedication to the mission of becoming “the light of the world,” under the reverent guidance of Archbishop Makarios.
Therefore, with feelings of gratitude to His All-Holiness our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate, for the election of His Eminence to the Archiepiscopal throne of Australia, we express our filial love and respect for our Shepherd and pray fervently for his physical and spiritual health, so that he may continue unabated his God-pleasing ministry for the glory of God and the salvation of our souls.
Many blessed and fruitful years, Your Eminence! Always Worthy!
From the ‘Vema’ Editorial Team
